Lookout Connector - WMTS, AZ

Prologue
I'm both surprised there is no description for this trail on HAZ, and simultaneously not at all surprised, given its distance from Phoenix, and traversing the Rodeo-Chediski Fire (2002) burn area. Per the burn map https://azlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/rodeo_chediski_fire_map_03.png , the area between FR 136 and Juniper Ridge mostly burned during the Rodeo Fire's growth on 6/22, and some on 6/23, after the two fires became a hyphenated "complex fire".


Lookout Connector Trail (LK) is an unnumbered trail in the White Mountain Trail System (WMTS), which gets its name because it connects Los Caballos Trail #638 (LC) to Juniper Ridge Trail #640. South-to-north, Lookout Connector is 4.0 miles, 840 AEG; north-to-south, it is 425 AEG. The round trip from FR 136 is 9.5 miles, 1400 AEG.From the trailhead on FR 136, head west for 200 yds. on Trail #638. At the LC 23 blaze, turn left onto double track / jeep trail through healthy Gambel oak, small juniper, and scattered manzanita. After another ½ mile, just past LC 25, Lookout Connector, marked by an obvious yellow-painted sign, is on the right.

Lookout Connector crosses a half dozen 50-100 ft. spurs before making the final 400 ft. climb up Juniper Ridge. The lightly-traveled single track intermittently disappears in the grass and is often crossed by alternate foot trails. Combined with the occasionally grounded blazes, it's easy to wander off course. If you are not skilled at "reading signs", download the attached GPS track.

Lookout Connector Trail also crosses at least 10 jeep trails. The main ones to keep in mind are FR 136, which crosses the trail between LK 11 and LK 10; FR 9807K near LK 7; and FR 9807L, between LK 6 and LK 5. All three can be easily used for a quick pickup after bailing. The latter two are accessible via the Timberland Acres inholding, a mile south of Linden.

Lookout Connector has no real shade to speak of. There are three small stands of surviving, spot shade-providing, pine trees in the 1¼ miles between LK 9 and LK 4. (The blazes count down, roughly every ¼ mile, from LK 15 to LK 1.) Otherwise, the vegetation is similar to Trail #638 but less dense. I only saw a few small prickly pear cacti.

Other than three small stands of surviving, spot shade-providing, pine trees, Lookout Connector is totally exposed.

Lookout Connector ends at a t-intersection, a few yards past blaze LK 1. Right to Juniper Ridge Trail #640; left to the fire lookout.

2022-05-28 kingsnake